Brazilian firm develops eco-friendly ATMs

Brazilian design outfit Edra Equipamentos has developed an eco-friendly ATM and booth powered by solar energy and composed of recycled and renewable resources.

Lighting and operation of the machine is powered by an array of PV-cells installed on the roof, which can also be fitted with a rainwater collector to grow plants and create a 'green' rooftop.

The booth housing the machine is coated with a 'Solatube' film developed by 3M that blocks 80% of infra-red rays from natural sunlight to cool the interior, while the walls and ceiling are crafted from recycled plastic and renewable resources such as oilseed plants.

The finished product - which arrives at a cost of $300,000 per unit - emerged from an architectural design competition to build a contemporary bank. The price tag is 30% higher than similar free-standing ATM booths in operation across the country, but the firm says it is in negotiations with a number of financial institutions that are keen to burnish their environmental credentials. The booths are set to go into mass-production later this month.